Structural element



y 5- o. ROTHENSTEIN 2,002,044

' STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Filed Jan. 16, 1930 INVENTOR. fl[@ 301x205 Zsw'zz ATTORNEY Patented May 21, 1935 5 PAT STRUCTURAL ELEMENT Otto Rothensteln, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 16, 1930, Serial No. 421,189

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This invention relates to structural elements. The object of the invention is to provide a structural element in the general form of a truss or column, which, by reason of its form, shall 5 be capable of being produced in a rapid and of the beam, but they serve, during the sheareconomical manner from standard channel beams having their webs so punched, sheared and joined at their meeting portions as to produce a comparatively cheap, light, one-piece element having a maximum amount of strength.

Having the above object in view, the invention resides in the novel, general and specific features of construction, substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side view of a channel beam having the web thereof provided with openings disposed in zigzag arrangement, and with cuts by which the beam is divided longitudinally into two parts.

Figure 2 is an end view of the beam.

Figure 3 is a side view of a severed beam, the parts thereof being shifted longitudinally relatively to each other, and having the projecting points of their angular edge portions joined, as by welding.

Figure 4 is an end view of in Figure 3.

I Figure 5 is a side view of an element formed by placing two beams formed as shown in Figthe structure shown ure 3, with their respective flanges in contact and joined, as by welding.

Figure 6 is an end view in Figure 5.

In the production of the structural element, a standard channel beam has the web portion I thereof provided with a series of openings 2, punched or otherwise formed, the openings being at equal distances from each other, and disposed in a zigzag line extending longitudinally of .the web. After the openings or perforations are formed, the web is sheared along lines 3, extending between adjacent openings, thus bisecting the web and forming two separable sections the inner portions of which consist of a series of angular projections joined at their bases. The size of the openings, and their relative disposition, may be varied. Consequently, the shapes of the angular projections and, therefore, the contours of the angular inner edges of the sections, may be modified at will.

The openings or perforations 2 not only provide guides for the accurate shearing of the web of the element shown 1 ing operation, and in the completed element, to prevent warping and distortion of the metal.

Heretofore in the production of structures in which beams, etc., are bisected to form'parts having projections'on their edges, which parts are connected or joined to produce an element having openings therein, the use in most instances of specially constructed cumbersome, expensive machinery has been necessary. In applicant's element the initial formation of the perforations permits the employment of a gangoFFicg die, held in a common punch press of the requisite capacity, for effecting the shearing of the web of the beam on lines connecting the perforations.

Thus the article may be produced from a com: mon form of beam tooled by means present in any well equipped shop established for the production of the general class of structural elements to which applicants belongs.

In the next step of the production of the element, the separated parts of the beam are moved longitudinally of each other and the outer ends of the respective series of angular projections brought to contact with each other. These projections are then connected at the points 4, preferably by oxyacetylene or electric welding. The shearing of the web being'guided by .the equidistant disposition of the perforations made in the web, it follows that the contours of the respective inner edges of the severed parts correspond exactly. Thus, when the parts are to be joined, the points to be welded together may, without requiring any nicety of adjustment, be brought quickly into the necessary position.

To produce the completed element, two members formed as described are brought together with their respective pairs of flanges I contacting, and secured firmly together in any well known way, as by electric or other welding.

The element is in substance principally of a lattice construction, possessing comparative lightness with great strength, with the advantage that the cost of putting into place the objectionable separate multiplicity of lattice members is eliminated. Its form permits of cheap manufacture, and the waste of material caused by removing the protruding ends of the severed parts the beam, when Joined, is small.

In assembling two beams, severed along longitudinal zigzag lines, and then joined, it is of advantage that their relative longitudinal positions be such that the openings of the two parts be in staggered relation to each other, as shown in Figure of the drawing, in order to give additional strength and rigidity to the completed element.

I claim: 1. A structural element or rectangular form, consisting of two channel-like members facing each other, and joined by welding along the meeting edges of the respective flanges, each member being severed longitudinally in a zigzag line along its web and the apices of the severed parts being connected by welding.

2. A structural element oi! rectangular torm, 

